So I had my consultation for the weight loss surgery I want which is the gastric sleeve and my insurance will cover the surgery BUT I have to go on a 6 month supervised diet. My BMI is 49 it just so happens that if my BMI was 50 I would surpass the 6 month supervised diet. So now here I am trying to gain about 10 pounds in 2 weeks so I can get my BMI to 50. I feel like I'm making myself sick overeating more than I already do but I'm just so close yet so far from the person I know I'm meant to be. Did anyone else have this issue? How's you deal?

My insurance required the 6 month plan. I actually feel that it helped me gain some tools that will help me be more successful in the long run. Best of luck to you with whatever happens.

I had a bmi of 52ish so, no didn't have your experience. I think that if your initial consult was a bmi of 49 then that's usually what the insurance makes thier decisions on. You may gain 10# and still have to do the supervised diet.

You can learn a lot during the supervised diet though, and develop good exercise habits.

I agree that you may have to do the six month supervised diet in any event. But if you are bound and determined to gain a lot of weight fast, these things are your friends:

--liquid calories. Go to Dairy Queen and get a Moolatte, or a giant Frappuccino from Starbucks. McDonalds milkshakes pack the calories, too. Better yet, make your own milkshake with full fat milk, full sugar flavored syrups, and super rich ice cream.

--put butter on everything

--eat a lot of things like quick breads and cupcakes -- things with lots of flour and sugar and fat

--your heaviest clothes (wear to weigh-in)

--I've heard about people doing things like wearing ankle weights, stuffing rolls of quarters in their pockets, etc. for weigh-in. Not that I would ever advocate or endorse insurance fraud, even though insurance companies are evil and deserve it.

I know a lot of people do it but the thought of jumping to the surgery without some sort of supervised diet scares the crap out of me.

I have learned so much and feel mentally prepared for how drastic my life is about to change. (I'm in month 4 of 7)

Really truly think about this..gaining 10 lbs will be that much more to lose.

What's the rush? I agree if they have already recorded your BMI at 49, then gaining isn't going to change that. Do the 6 mths supervised. You do indeed pick up tools that are helpful to developing lifelong tools to help you along this new way of eating.

Well the place I had my consultation with basically urged me to gain the 10 pounds so I would be at a BMI of 50 . So idk if they will still make me do the 6 month supervised diet. The rush is that I've been overweight sooo long and so uncomfortable in my own skin and I'm ready to change my life. My health issues are getting worse by the day.

It's all how you look at it. By doing the supervised diet, you are changing your life. That's 6 mths to change your eating habits, perhaps join a gym. Both of these things will make surgery easier and a lot less taxing on your body then gaining 10lbs of additional weight you do not need.

What does a supervised diet even consists of?

Diet and exercise with monthly weigh ins. I feel like gaining more weight is asking for trouble.

I agree it kinda scared me..

I initially went to a doctor and was told I needed the 6 months I was upset but this doctor was also pushing the band when i knew I wanted the sleeve. I chose to "just forget it" and try again on my own. That is when I found this site and starting doing a lot more research. Finally I said enough and I went to a new doc. I expected to be told i needed the 6 months but turns out I only have 3 months.

I get it I want it done now as well but in the last month I have learned so much. Time will go by fast and it will be worth it.

Hang in there but also make sure you have the right requirements. Someone I know used rolls of quarters and again not advocating it (she needed just a few lbs) but it will go fast and take the time you have to research.

You may gain without even trying, I didnt realize I would have to quit smoking so I would probably gain that quick!

I had to stop smoking also which I've done since the consultation, I've also stopped drinking. I just think it's not fair. It's my decision you know? But thank you for being understanding.

Good luck! Again trust me I understand I was devastated about my 6 months and shocked when the new doc said only 3! EVERYTHING I read was 6 months, insurance paperwork is so confusing. The office staff had it printed out and it was only 3!! I still feel good about the prep time just not as much time lol

only angry I didn't go sooner so check that out!

Now I am hoping for Dec but may have to be Jan, fingers crossed!

Edited September 18, 201510 yr by Leesa926

I see too many people who want to rush into this surgery without being prepared thinking that the weight will magically disappear and they will live happily ever after. Those are the people who get disenchanted with the surgery and either don't get to goal or do and start gaining the weight back because they didn't realize how much work actually goes into making it sucessful. I say the more prepared you are, the better. Why not take the 6 month supervised diet to actually learn about proper nutrition and exercise and lose some weight before your surgery in the process? I'm glad I had the time to research and prepare to help me become as successful as I've been. In hindsight, you will be too.

What does a supervised diet even consists of?

Ideally you should meet with the nutritionist and review your eating habits. She may give you some sample menus, a calorie range and discuss ways to get that. Many programs also encourage you to keep a food diary and begin measuring your foods. These are things you will need to do post op anyway so it's good preparation for that. You can also begin to learn how to handle certain food situations, like what's a safe high Protein, low calorie meal when you go out to eat. How to handle situations like holiday's and parties. Also begin some form of regular exercise. Personally speaking I had an very easy hospital experience and I am fairly certain it was the core strengthening exercises that I had been doing prior to surgery that helped with that. Each month you check in with the nurse or nutritionist and they review your food dairy and check your weight. This is how my program works, it might be good to clarify with your team how their supervised diets work.